KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 24-Jan-2023
The Punjab Police arrested notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Baghwanpuria, allegedly been associated with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Sikh For Justice (SFJ), from Delhi’s Tihar Jail. He was taken to Punjab on transit remand and was later sent to police custody by a court there.
Australia 25-Jan-2023
According to report, 'Signals that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided & abetted by members of proscribed terrorist orgs such as the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) & other inimical agencies from outside Australia, have been evident for some time, said High Commission of India, Canberra'
India 25-Jan-2023
The pro-Khalistan outfit, Dal Khalsa, along with its allies, took out a march on January 25 to demand referendum in Punjab under the United Nations (UN) in Amritsar. Carrying placards and flags, the marchers raised slogans highlighting political resolution to Punjab ‘conflict’ through the right to self-determination. “The Sikhs of Punjab have been struggling for sovereignty and independence since the 1980s and they want international community to respect and recognise their aspirations,” a Dal Khalsa statement said.
Pakistan 25-Jan-2023
According to reports in Pakistan, the gold-plated kalash that used to rest atop the dome of the Palki Sahib (palanquin) installed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartapur Sahib, in Pakistan, has gone missing, leading to suspicion that it had been stolen from the Sikh shrine.
India 25-Jan-2023
Police arrested one person, identified as Amin Khan and recovered 20-gm opium from him in Abohar in Fazilka district.
India 25-Jan-2023
Police recovered 70-gm heroin from two persons identified as Rajinder and Sukhjit Singh outside Kaminpura village in Fazilka district.
India 25-Jan-2023
A red alert was sounded across the state on January 25 on the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to ensure peaceful celebrations of the Republic Day.
United Kingdom 26-Jan-2023
According to reports, anti-India demonstrations were held outside Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Consulate in Birmingham. The protesters termed India’s Republic Day as Black Day and asked the British government to intervene and halt the ongoing genocide in “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.
India 26-Jan-2023
India on January 26 strongly condemned the incidents of recent attacks on Hindu Temples in Australia and said these were clear attempts to sow hatred and division among the peaceful multi-faith and multi-cultural Indian-Australian community. New Delhi also urged the Australian authorities to ensure safety and security of Indians living there. Registering its condemnation, the Indian High Commission in Canberra said in a strongly worded statement "The frequency and impunity with which the vandals appear to be operating are alarming, as are the graffiti which include the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists. The High Commission highlighted "that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of proscribed terrorist organisations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other inimical agencies from outside Australia."
India 26-Jan-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) claimed to have seized 3 kilograms of heroin in Ferozepur on January 26. According to BSF, in the morning, during a search of the area falling near Tindiwala village, BSF troops recovered three packets heroin (weight 3 Kg) wrapped with yellow adhesive tape.
India 26-Jan-2023
According to reports, unknown persons painted pro-Khalistan slogans on the board of Beant Singh Memorial at Sector 42 in Chandigarh on Republic Day. The slogans were written in Punjabi on both sides of the board installed on the road opposite the furniture market. The suspects also wrote SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) Zindabad on the board.
India 26-Jan-2023
A protest march took place in Mohali on January 26 demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who are allegedly lodged in different prisons despite having completed their sentences. The protesters, including Nihangs and members of several Sikh bodies, from different parts of Punjab gathered under the banner of 'Kaumi Insaaf Morcha'.
India 26-Jan-2023
Punjab governor Banwari Lal Purohit expressed concern over cross-border Narco activities. The governor said that it was a matter of concern in the six districts situated on International Border (IB). He urged people to be vigilant for the internal security of country and the state.
India 27-Jan-2023
Gagandeep Singh Kainth, who is president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s youth wing (rural), said that on January 27 he received threat calls from an international number on his WhatsApp number, but he did not answer the calls. He said that later he received WhatsApp messages from the same number. “The sender threatened me for supporting the BJP and threatened to shoot me dead. The accused also sent him pictures of weapons to threaten him. He also said that anyone who would speak against Khalistan would face dire consequences,” Kainth said.
India 27-Jan-2023
Ludhiana Police busted a gang of drug peddlers with the arrest of two accused, identified as Amandeep Singh alias Romi (30) and Gurpreet Singh (26) and recovered 100-gram heroin, four pistols of 0.32 bore along with 18 live cartridges of 0.32 bore, four magazines, INR 7.70 lakh in cash drug money and Hyundai Verna car from their possession in Ludhiana.
India 27-Jan-2023
A gangster, Jagtar Singh alias Jagga suffered a bullet injury in an exchange of fire with the Jagraon police on January 26 near Kothe Khanjuran village in Ludhiana. Later, he was arrested, but his aide managed to escape on a motorcycle. It has been alleged that Jagga along with his accomplice had come to collect extortion money from a Jagraon-based businessman on behalf of Arsh Dalla. Dalla has been declared a ‘designated terrorist’ by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA).
India 27-Jan-2023
Punjab Police arrested two weapon smugglers, identified as Banna Ram and Mukesh and recovered as many as eight pistols and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from their possession in Fazilka city in Fazilka district.
Australia 28-Jan-2023
According to reports, the pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced that voting for their Australian chapter of “Khalistan independence referendum” will be held at Federation Square in Melbourne on January 29. Melbourne’s Ravi Inder Singh, a representative of the Miri Piri Gurudwara said that the voting exercise, known as the “Khalistan referendum”, would be a significant step towards self-determination for millions of Sikhs around the world.
India 28-Jan-2023
A report authored by a Punjab Police officer, Gulneet Singh Khurana, in an Intelligence Bureau e-book has claimed that pro-Khalistani entities (PKEs) are in touch with certain news agencies and journalists who propagate for them. The reports said, “PKEs have been found to be using social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube etc. to reach out to public to provide their narratives.” It was published in an e-book which is a compilation of articles by the IB from serving officers. “Besides, they have been found to be connected to some news agencies/journalists personally who take their interviews and put them on their personal news channels," adds the report. The officer is tasked with supervising various cases linked to Khalistani terrorism, including the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
India 28-Jan-2023
The anti-narcotics-cum-special operation cell on January 28 arrested two aides of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, identified as Harish alias Kaka Nepali (32) and Jagdip Singh alias Jagar (27), with illegal arms and ammunition from Kharar in Mohali district. Two .32-bore pistols and six live cartridges were recovered from their possession.
India 29-Jan-2023
Punjab Police's counter-intelligence wing arrested a man, identified as Rashpal Singh alias Pala for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and seized 5 kg of heroin and Rs 12.15 lakh cash from his possession in Amritsar on January 29. According to reports, Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment of drugs was pushed by Pakistan-based smugglers using a drone.
India 29-Jan-2023
Punjab Police arrested a key associate of gangster-turned terrorist Arshdeep Dalla, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Harry and seized a pistol from him in Moga. Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gulneet Singh Khurana said Harry was involved in targeted killings. Though Harry had no criminal history, he was closely associated with the crimes being executed by Dalla and his associates from abroad, said Khurana.
Australia 29-Jan-2023
India on January 30 lodged a protest with Australian authorities over attacks by Khalistani activists on people of Indian origin who were protesting against a so-called “Khalistan referendum” organised by the outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) over the weekend. Indian high commissioner Manpreet Vohra took up the violent incidents in central Melbourne on January 29 with the premier of Victoria state, Daniel Andrews, at a meeting on January 30. Meanwhile, Australian high commissioner Barry O’Farrell, in New Delhi, said he was “appalled” by the incidents and that Victoria police are investigating a number of people for “criminal acts of violence”. According to reports, scuffles between Khalistani activists and pro-India groups occurred at Federation Square in Melbourne on January 29 afternoon amid the non-binding referendum on creating an “independent Khalistan”, which has already been denounced by India. SFJ organised the referendum in Australia after similar polls in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).
Australia 29-Jan-2023
A video shared on social media showed a group of men waving the Khalistani flag and attacking Indians carrying the Indian national flag, leaving five injured in Australia. The pro-Khalistani forces are also seen carrying rods and attacking the men carrying the Indian flag in the video. Condemning the attack, the Victoria Police informed that as of now two people have been arrested following the violent attack. The two arrested men are in their 30s and have been issued a penalty notice for "riotous behaviour". They said the five injured people have been admitted to the hospital.
India 29-Jan-2023
Delhi Police Special Cell on January 29 arrested two men, identified as Vikram Singh (29) and Balram Singh (34) in connection with the pro-Khalistan posters and graffiti purportedly popped up in several West Delhi localities. According to police, the duo allegedly worked with a banned Khalistani organisation which was “plotting to carry out terror attacks in the city”. Police said graffiti and posters were seen on walls in Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Paschim Vihar, Peeragarhi, Meera Bagh and other parts on January 19 and 20. Soon after, banned organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a purported video claiming responsibility. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel at SFJ, said in the video that the organisation will target Delhi on Republic Day and “raise” Khalistani flags.
India 29-Jan-2023
The Moga police on January 28 registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) against four gangsters hiding abroad, including Canada-based designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), for allegedly smuggling weapons to create unrest in Punjab. Three other gangsters booked from Dalla’s gang and also allegedly hiding abroad are Jackpal Singh, a native of Kothe Patti Mohabbat of Moga (currently believed to be hiding in Malaysia); Amritpal Singh of Chand Nawan of Moga (currently believed to be hiding in Manila of Philippines) and Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, a native of Buiyan Wala village of Ferozepur (currently believed to be hiding in Philippines). A fifth accused named in the FIR is Harpreet Singh alias Harry, a local from Mohalla Loharia of Moga, and currently an active member of the Dalla gang in Punjab, according to the police.
India 30-Jan-2023
The Inspector General (IG) (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said on January 30 that Punjab Police have arrested 257 drug smugglers after registering 198 first information reports (FIRs), including 19 commercial, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act across the state in the last week. The IG said police have also recovered 16.36 kg heroin, 6.70 kg opium, 1.94 quintal of poppy husk, and 78918 tablets/capsules/injections/vials of pharma opioids besides recovering Rs 11.53 lakh drug money from their possession.
India 30-Jan-2023
According to reports, the pro-Khalistani group Dal Khalsa's Twitter account was withheld after a legal demand was made for the same by the Government of India against the separatist faction. The group, which is being led by Kanwar Pal Singh Sandhu, has the same agenda of seeking secession of Punjab from India and establishing a new country Khalistan. The United Kingdom (UK)-based group is infamous for posting hate content on Twitter, which had a little over 1,200 followers, to radicalise the Sikh community and raise demands for Khalistan. Notably, this was the only active account on Twitter of the pro-Khalistan separatists who were using the platform to peddle their agenda and radicalise the Sikhs.
India 30-Jan-2023
Lieutenant General (retired) Kuldeep Singh Brar, who played a key role in the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star, said that the Khalistani movement is resurging in Punjab and neighbouring Pakistan has been supporting it. Lt Gen Brar was also the commanding officer of Operation Blue Star and remains on the hitlist of Khalistani terrorists. He survived an attempt on his life 10 years ago in London. “Things were very bad in Punjab in the 1980s. There was no law and order at all. The police had become a defunct force. There was a saint who arose from a village. He had such a charismatic personality that everyone accepted him like an 11th Guru called Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He lived in a village called Rode but he went around giving his sermons. And at that stage slowly and steadily the state of Punjab started crumbling and Bhindranwale was an all-powerful man. There were murders, smuggling, and banks being looted,” said Lt Gen Brar.
Australia 30-Jan-2023
India's high commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra, on January 30 visited temples vandalised by alleged Khalistan supporters, in the second-largest city of Melbourne. According to reports, Vohra offered prayers at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple and ISKCON Krishna Temple in the city, two of the three sites where anti-India graffiti was painted, allegedly by Khalistan supporters, in recent days.
India 30-Jan-2023
According to reports, days after Jagraon man Paramjit Singh (45) was shot dead by two assailants who barged into his house at Bardeke village on January 4 and later Canada-based gangster-turned-Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla took responsibility of the murder in a purported Facebook post, the Ludhiana rural police late on January 29 arrested one of the two shooters and recovered a weapon from him in Ludhiana. Police said that Abhinav Singh alias Abhi, was arrested and a 32 bore pistol and four cartridges were recovered following his interrogation. Wanted gangster Arsh Dalla of Moga, believed to be hiding in Canada, in a purported Facebook post had claimed the responsibility of the murder and said that he took the revenge of his ‘younger brother’ Dilpreet Dhaliwal’s death who had “died by suicide” after Paramjit had “harassed him”. Jagraon Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Satinder Singh Virk said that a total of 14 accused were booked in the case, including Arsh Dalla, of which 10 have been arrested. “Those who are yet to be arrested include Arsh Dalla, two other shooters who executed the crime and one accused who is currently in Australia. Abhinav was one of the three shooters who opened fire as seen in the CCTV footage. He executed this targeted killing on Dalla’s orders,” DSP Virk said. He added, “A total of three shooters had arrived on the spot, two of them had barged inside and opened fire while one was driving the vehicle. We have added UAPA sections to the earlier FIR which is applicable on Dalla and three shooters for targeted killing.”
India 30-Jan-2023
According to reports, taking a vow to make Ferozepur, a drugs free district, panchayats of more than 100 villages, passed resolutions to oppose and socially boycott drug sellers.
Canada 30-Jan-2023
A Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Gauri Shankar Mandir, was desecrated as pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti was spray-painted on a wall in the early hours on January 30. According to reports, the vandalisation occurred deep in the night and was discovered by temple authorities on January 30 morning following which they informed the Peel Regional Police (PRP). This is the third such instance of a temple in the Toronto region being desecrated within the past nine months, while similar instances have also been reported from the United States, and more recently, in Australia.
Canada 31-Jan-2023
The Indian Embassy in Canada has conveyed its serious concerns over the defacing of a Hindu Gauri Shankar temple in Brampton, Greater Toronto, by suspected so-called Khalistani separatists and has separately asked the local law enforcement agencies to act against the perpetrators. The Indian concerns were conveyed in the form of note verbale to the Justin Trudeau government on January 31 in Canada.
India 31-Jan-2023
A Mohali court on January 31 sent gangster Jagdip Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, to four-day custody of the Punjab Police State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in a terror-funding case.
Canada 31-Jan-2023
Canada’s foreign minister Melanie Joly condemned the defacing of the Hindu temple in Brampton. Melanie, in a tweet, said, “Everyone should be able to practice their faith in peace, free from violence and intimidation.” “I stand with Hindu communities in denouncing the vandalism at Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton,” she said, adding, “We have a collective responsibility to denounce hateful acts”, which have no place in Canada.
India 31-Jan-2023
Pro-Khalistan organisation Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh on January 31 termed that Lieutenant General (retired) K S Brar as insane and a liar for his recent interview. The Dal Khalsa leader said the timing of his interview with a government aided news agency leaves no one in doubt of the mala fide intention behind it. “The (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi dispensation has played a dirty game and rubbed the festering wounds of the Sikhs,” he added.
India 01-Feb-2023
Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit on February 1 called drug menace a major concern for the state, saying whenever he goes to villages, people say drugs are available like grocery items at general stores. The governor, who is on a two-day tour of Punjab’s border villages, said: “It is a matter of worry. It is not the question of adults only. Drugs have entered schools and children are getting addicted. Parents are feeling helpless. Some children get addicted to the extent that they start stealing in their homes and we are getting several complaints in this regard. They get trapped in clutches of gangs who are dominating,” Purohit said in Pathankot.
India 01-Feb-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered three packets of heroin weighing about 2.622 kg, along with a blinking device, from a wheat field near Mumbeki village in Fazilka district. According to official sources, the BSF personnel heard a buzzing sound and saw a blinking red light of drone entering from the Pakistan side into the Indian territory area of the Mumbeki border outpost during the wee hours.
India 01-Feb-2023
Patiala police arrested an associate of gangster Kanwar Randeep Singh alias SK Kharoud, identified as Pawan Kumar from the Patiala-Sangrur Road in Patiala on February 1. According to police, Pawan Kumar suffered a bullet injury on his leg during cross-firing with the police and was admitted to a hospital.
India 01-Feb-2023
According to reports, counter intelligence has busted a drugs module, which involved a jail warden, who indulged into smuggling of drugs at central jail, in Ferozepur. Four accused have been held in connection with the case.
India 02-Feb-2023
India on February 2 condemned recent vandalism in Australia and demanded that the Australian government make sure that its land was not being used for anything that threatened "our security, integrity, and national interest." Earlier, Indian citizens who were protesting against a purported "Khalistan referendum" that the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organized in Melbourne over the weekend were attacked by Khalistani activists. India had already complained to Australian authorities about the incidents. “We strongly condemn such attacks by extremist elements and we urge local authorities to investigate and punish the perpetrators. We have been repeatedly taking up with the Australian authorities our concerns about actions by such elements, including those that are proscribed terrorist organisations,” External Affair Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “We conveyed our firm rejection of the so-called Khalistan referendum and politically motivated exercises by extremist elements,” he added.
India 02-Feb-2023
Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit on February 2 asked sarpanches of border villages to write directly to him about those involved in drug smuggling while directing the state police authorities to thwart efforts being made to revive Khalistan movement in Punjab. The governor who is on a two-day visit to border districts of Punjab, while addressing a gathering of village heads at MR Government College in Fazilka, said that easy availability of drugs is posing a serious threat as even young adults are getting addicted.
India 02-Feb-2023
The pro-Khalistani outfit, Dal Khalsa accused the Indian army ex-general K S Brar of killings of hundreds of innocent pilgrims and bringing the edifice of the Akal Takhat to rubble with the help of battle tanks. The Dal Khalsa termed him a sinner and a war criminal who has gone senile. Dal Khalsa disputes Brar's assertions that Sikh warriors detained Sikh Sangat at gunpoint in order to utilize them as "human shields." It is clear from the time of his interview with the government-backed news organization ANI that a malicious plan was behind it, a statement said.
India 02-Feb-2023
According to reports, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly will visit India next week for bilateral meetings. While the official schedule has yet to be released, she is expected to be in India on February 6 and 7, senior Canadian and Indian officials confirmed. She will hold a bilateral with India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar, among other engagements during the trip.
India 03-Feb-2023
Delhi Police arrested two gangsters of Lawrence Bishnoi group, identified as Sandeep and Jatin after a brief encounter at Rohini in New Delhi. According to reports, Jatin is a native of Baba Haridas Nagar in New Delhi and Sandeep is from the Haryana’s Jhajjar.
India 03-Feb-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a Pakistani drone purported to be carrying 5 kilos of heroin close to Kakkar village in the Amritsar sector in Amritsar district. The drug packet was secured with a piece of yellow adhesive tape. According to an officer, BSF forces heard a buzzing sound about 2.30 am as a flying object entered Indian borders from Pakistan close to Kakkar village. The drone was shot down by BSF soldiers, who then roped off the whole area.
India 03-Feb-2023
Punjab's Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on February 3 asked Deputy Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) to quicken the three-pronged strategy of "Enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention" in order to make Punjab a drug-free state. In addition, the CM requested that authorities ensure that the preventive detention provisions of the PITNDPS Act, 1988, were effectively carried out. He also urged that authorities conduct thorough investigations into each illicit drug recovery in order to identify the forward and backward linkages in the supply chain.
India 03-Feb-2023
On February 3, the Punjab Police carried out a special cordon and search operation at the suspected hideouts of people linked to the gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. During the daylong operation, which was carried out by at least 200 police teams with approximately 2,000 personnel, more than 1,490 suspected hideouts of anti-social groups associated to Bishnoi and Canada-based Brar were raided, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Additionally, simultaneous raids were carried out at residences and other locations connected to these people in all the districts, collecting data from electronic devices that would be subjected to a forensic examination.
India 03-Feb-2023
Ludhiana police crime wing arrested a college student, identified as Harshvir Singh alias Harsh (21) on charges of sheltering a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Ludhiana. The suspect, a BA candidate at GGN Khalsa College in Ghumar Mandi, confessed that Ravi has given him between INR 15 and INR 20 lakh so far.
India 03-Feb-2023
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 3 conducted searches in a money laundering case linked to a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and recovered 2.2 kg of heroin and other contraband items weighing about 14 kg of narcotics in Tarn Taran district. Along with two rifles, three pistols, and live ammunition, the ED also found property paperwork on the suspects' properties. ED conducted searches at 10 locations in the Tarn Taran district villages of Sheron, Naushera Pannuan, and Bugha.
India 04-Feb-2023
According to report, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval would meet with his United Kingdom (UK) counterpart Tim Barrow in London for the annual strategic dialogue. He is expected to express India's grave concerns about the UK purposefully turning a blind eye to the rise in Sikh radicalization and anti-Indian sentiments in the nation, which are supported by Pakistani Muslims. The UK government has not done anything to block the funding of so-called Khalistan terrorism through radical gurudwaras in Britain in the name of imagined crimes against the community in India, despite India addressing the subject of Sikh separatism in Britain at the highest intelligence levels. The Indian government believes that the UK is using radicals as a leverage point against India and attempting to use violence in the name of freedom of speech.
India 04-Feb-2023
Police arrested two persons, identified as Harmeet Singh alias Mitta and Amritpal Singh along with nine pistols in Bathinda. Police said they have connection with the district's supply of weapons and ammunition.
India 04-Feb-2023
Border Security Force (BSF), on February 4, recovered 2.256 kg heroin from a field close to the village of Ghurmi in Fazilka district. According to the sources, the troop found three packages of drugs (2.256 kg of heroin) wrapped in white polythene during the search.
India 05-Feb-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) wing of the Punjab Police arrested two close associates of the United States (US)-based gangster Amritpal Singh, identified as Sandeep Singh alias Sipa and Avtar Singh alias Manu in Gurdaspur district. According to police, they have also recovered some weapons, apparently smuggled from across the border. However, they didn’t disclose the quantity and the specifications of the recovered weapons. Amritpal Singh, who has been working in collusion with Canada-based gangster-turned terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, and the two arrested accused have been booked under Section 25 of the Arms Act, and Sections 120 and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the SSOC’s Amritsar police station on February 4. According to the First Information Report (FIR), “Amritpal Singh of Bholath town in Kapurthala district, who is presently living in the USA, wants to disrupt the Punjab state’s peace by unleashing targeted killings and terror activities with the help of his associates sitting in various jail.”
India 05-Feb-2023
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on February 5 said it has recently carried out search operations in 10 different places in Tarn Taran district of Punjab in connection with the recovery of arms and drugs cases. According to an official, during the course of the search, various incriminating evidence, drugs and arms and ammunition were recovered and seized relating to numerous immovable properties worth crores of rupees in the names of the accused persons, members of their family and their associates. The recoveries include heroin of 2.2 kg, suspected contraband material weighing over 13 kg, 2 rifles and 3 pistols along with some cartridges.
Australia 05-Feb-2023
According to reports, Victorian Hindus presented a list of demands to Australian Home Affairs Minister, Clare O’ Neil, at Durga Temple, in the wake of recent by attacks by Khalistanis with terror-links on Indians in Melbourne on February 5. The Australian Hindu Association awaits a prompt response from the Minister, said the report.
India 06-Feb-2023
Kapurthala police arrested eight members of an international extortion gang that has links with gang members in the United States (US) in Kapurthala district.
Canada 06-Feb-2023
According to reports, three of the four-member Dhadhi Jatha (Ballad singers) have disappeared in Canada. They were in Canada on a six-month sponsored tour to perform Baisakhi performances at Gurudwaras. The group's leader and a well-known vocalist, Jaswinder Singh Shant stated that they might use fraudulent means to apply for asylum in Canada. Notably, photographs of the missing persons with Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President and MP Siranjit Singh Mann have surfaced on social media.
United Kingdom 06-Feb-2023
The Indian High Commission in London stated that United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the meeting between British National Security Advisor (NSA) Tim Barrow and Indian NSA Ajit Doval in London. According to sources, Doval did some “plain speaking on Sikh radicalism, pro-Pakistan groups and BBC documentary” with UK officials. Radical Sikh actions against India and assaults on the Indian diplomatic mission have been worse recently, and the local government hasn’t responded appropriately, Doval told them. Similarly, anti-India Pakistanis are active in the UK, according to the sources, who also noted that this group frequently influences British MPs’ views on India.
India 07-Feb-2023
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on February 7 claimed that Punjab police’s special drive against drugs had started yielding positive results as the public had extended full support to make Punjab a drug-free state. DGP said that the police had been carrying out cordon and search operations in drug hotspots of the state from time to time and people were cooperating. He said Harpinder Singh, sarpanch of Kharaurhi village in Fatehgarh Sahib, which had been declared drug-free by the panchayat, had thanked Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and the police for launching a war against drugs.
India 07-Feb-2023
According to reports, India has told Canada that the Khalistan issue is of “national security concern” for New Delhi and that Ottawa should take stringent action against those who continue to pose threats to the Indian community there, even as both sides vowed to boost strategic ties between them under the Indo-Pacific construct. Sources said the issue was raised during Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's hurricane trip to India during which she held one-on-one as well as delegation-level meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on February 7. Canadian minister's visit comes months after India issued a rare- and strongly-worded travel advisory on Canada, talking about rising incidents of “hate crime” in that country and attempts to “terrorise the Indian community” thereby Khalistani extremists.
India 07-Feb-2023
Ludhiana Rural Police arrested a person, identified as Jagtar (26), along with 50 grams of heroin, after an encounter across the town of Jagraon in Ludhiana district on February 7 late night. Jagraon Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Satinder Singh Virk said that on the way, the accused injured at least three commuters who were admitted to the hospital.
India 08-Feb-2023
Police on February 8 arrested two gangsters involved in several cases of crime, identified as Gursewak Singh and Satwinder Singh after a brief encounter at Mudki area in Ferozepur district. Sources said the police seized two pistols from their custody.
India 08-Feb-2023
Around 33 police personnel were injured and dozens of police vehicles were damaged after armed protesters, under the banner of Kaumi Insaaf Morcha, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners went on a rampage, smashing vehicles and cornering cops, near the Chandigarh-Mohali border on the Sector 52/53 dividing road on February 8. According to sources, when police stopped the protesters who were marching towards Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh, they launched a violent attack on the police with swords, rods, sticks and other sharp-edged weapons. Riding horses and tractors, the protesters ploughed into police barricades and vehicles in a bid to enter Chandigarh.
India 08-Feb-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) on February 8 shot down a “rogue” drone entering into India from Pakistan near the Babapir border post in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district. According to sources, the drone fell into Pakistani territory across the International Border (IB) while it was flying back toward Pakistan. The drone was sighted during the intervening night of February 7-8.
India 08-Feb-2023
Police arrested a person, identified as Sattu Ram and recovered 500-gm of opium from his possession from near Pakki Tibbi village in Muktsar district on February 8.
India 08-Feb-2023
Police on February 8 identified and detained seven members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which was leading the protest, in which around 30 policemen, including the Rapid Action Force personnel, were injured while several police vehicles were damaged. Police charged 17 different laws, including the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the Arms Act, and Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to murder) against them.
India 08-Feb-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) spotted a Pakistani drone near the Adia post in Gurdaspur in Gurdaspur district on February 8. According to BSF, soldiers opened fire on the drone and search operation underway by police and BSF. This is the fourth instance of a Pakistani drone being spotted on the Indian side in the last three days and of the BSF soldiers on duty firing at it and forcing it back to Pakistan.
India 09-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 9 arrested a 17-year-old boy along with 15 kg heroin and Rs 8.40 lakh drug money in Amritsar in Amritsar district. According to sources, Amritsar police arrested the juvenile at a checkpoint on Ram Tirath Road, while an accomplice identified as Resham Singh, who prima-facie seems to be the mastermind behind the narcotics smuggling racket, managed to flee. Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment of drugs was airdropped by Pakistan-based smugglers using a drone.
United Kingdom 10-Feb-2023
Radicalisation of the Muslims in United Kingdom (UK) on the issue of Kashmir and “potentially toxic” pro-Khalistan extremism are major concerns for the country, said a review into the UK government's counter-terrorism early intervention Prevent strategy published recently. The review warned that rhetoric from Pakistan is impacting UK Muslim communities when it comes to "inflaming anti-India sentiment, particularly around the subject of Kashmir". It also warned against a false narrative being disseminated by a tiny number of pro-Khalistan groups operating in the UK. The review, on the issue of pro-Khalistan extremism, said, "Prevent should also be mindful of pro-Khalistan extremism emerging from the UK's Sikh communities. A false narrative is disseminated by the tiny number of pro-Khalistan groups operating in the UK that the government is colluding with its counterpart in India to persecute Sikhs." "Such groups' narratives glorify violence carried out by the pro-Khalistan movement in India. While the current threat is low, praise for violence overseas and a simultaneous belief in a state-led campaign of repression domestically is a potentially toxic combination for the future," said the report.
India 10-Feb-2023
According to the Chandigarh Police’s First Information Report (FIR) into the violence at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on February 7, the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which was leading the protests for the release of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails after completing their sentences, is a pro-Khalistan organisation. The FIR stated that the protesters snatched a tear gas handgun and its ammunition and attempted to kill policemen amid raising of pro-Khalistan slogans during the clash with the police on the road dividing sectors 52 and 53. Police named seven persons in the case and charged different sections of the law, including of attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity and rioting and under Sections of Arms Act and Prevention of Damaging Public Property Act. Meanwhile, the Mohali police also registered an FIR at Mataur police station against unknown persons for rioting and attempt to murder.
India 10-Feb-2023
According to reports, Nihangs, members of several Sikh bodies and others are supporting the demands of the ‘Quami Insaaf Morcha’, which launched their protest march from Mohali on January 7 for releasing Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh’s assassination. Report said that, in a span of one month, supporters from across the state thronged the protest venue and set up tents, first-aid kiosks, and community kitchen (langar) on the border.
India 10-Feb-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a drone and recovered a Chinese made pistol, ammunition and narcotics along the International Border (IB) in the Ferozepur Sector in Firozpur District on February 10. According to the BSF, a packet of consignment dropped by the intruding drone, containing 3 kg of heroin, a China-made pistol, cartridges and a magazine were recovered from the spot.
India 10-Feb-2023
Police arrested an aide of Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa, identified as Vijay Kumar alias Toti and three of his accomplices, identified as Rahul, Amardeep Singh alias Patwari, and Suraj Singh from Kartapur in Jalandhar district. Police also recovered two country-made .32 bore pistols, along with 10 live rounds and two magazines, one country-made 9 mm pistol with two live rounds, one country-made .12 bore pistol with one live round and two motorcycles from them. The arrested persons were wanted in the recent Kapurthala kidnapping and extortion case.
India 10-Feb-2023
Delhi police special cell arrested a person for his alleged links with Khalistan terror suspect Jagjeet Singh alias Jagga from Bazpur town of Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand on February 10. Jagga, also a resident of the same district, was arrested from Delhi last month.
India 10-Feb-2023
Police on February 10 arrested a member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Tejinder Singh alias Gullu and seized five pistols from his possession in Shambhu barrier in Patiala district. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma said that the accused had international links and they prevented a major crime.
India 11-Feb-2023
Moga police on February 11 brought gangster Sukhpreet Buddha on production warrant from the jail and a Moga court sent him to 10 days in police custody. Buddha, a native of Kussa village, had been acting as the self-styled head of the Davinder Bambiha gang after Bambiha’s death in 2016.
India 11-Feb-2023
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, that is spearheading the Sikh activists protest, on February 11 blamed the state government for provoking the protesters who clashed with police forces near the Chandigarh-Mohali border on February 8. Gurcharan Singh, foster father of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was convicted of assassinating former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, alleged that with the aim to remove the morcha from YPS Chowk, Punjab Police was harassing the kin of the protesters and threatening them.
Australia 11-Feb-2023
According to reports, pro-Khalistan terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to hold its next round of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ voting in Brisbane, Australia on March 19. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of SFJ, declared that "the March 19 “Battlefield - Brisbane” Khalistan Referendum Voting Centre is dedicated to Shaheed Bhai Harmeet Singh Bhaowal and Shaheed Bibi Baljinder Kaur who were bombed to death along with their nine months old son Pavittar Singh on December 05, 1992, by the Indian Police forces in Haryana."
India 11-Feb-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on February 11 said that the campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs) will be taken to people at the village level. He said more than 16 lakh forms have been filled so far as part of the signature campaign launched by the SGPC for the release of Sikh prisoners in December. The campaign will now be intensified and taken to people at the village level from February 18, he said, adding that meetings will be organised in at least four places in every assembly constituency.
India 11-Feb-2023
Police arrested a person along with 18 gram of heroin in Fazilka in Fazilka district.
India 11-Feb-2023
According to reports, Delhi Police on February 11 identified Gagandeep and his father Jasbir Singh, associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), accused of funding their sleeper cell members in Delhi to put up anti-India posters ahead of India’s 74th Republic Day. Reports said that the duo, believed to be residents of California in the United States (US), conspired with the SFJ head Gurupatwant Singh Pannun. They funded their sleeper cell members, along with Pannun, to put up posters to further Khalistani propaganda, threatening terrorist attacks at 12 places across the national capital.
India 12-Feb-2023
Rajasthan police launched ‘Operation Hunter’ to identify the henchmen and supporters of gangsters who are active in the neighbouring states. Rajasthan segments share boundaries with Punjab and Haryana. The Superintendent of Police, Sriganganagar, Anand Sharma said that that the operation was being conducted to search for gangsters, their henchmen, supporters and those who like or comment on their photos on social media accounts. Under this, 20 persons have been booked under Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) and five people have been arrested with illegal weapons. According to reports, Police teams are monitoring more than 100 accounts.
India 12-Feb-2023
Members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, on February 12 were once again stopped by police from entering Chandigarh and to undertake a march towards Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann’s official residence. Chandigarh and Mohali police had made elaborate security arrangements at the border to prevent the protesters from heading towards Chandigarh. After they were stopped by police, the 31 protesters sat on the road which divides sectors 52 and 53 near the Chandigarh-Mohali border.
India 13-Feb-2023
The Chandigarh police February 13, released pictures of ten more suspected people involved in the February 8 incident on the Sector 52/53 road in which around 40 police personnel were injured. The First Information Report (FIR) mentions seven suspects, including Gurcharan Singh, Jagtar Singh Hawara's foster father, while the other suspects are listed as unidentified persons.
India 13-Feb-2023
Punjab's Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on February 13 disapproved of the idea of resuming trade with Pakistan, questioning how it could be done with a country that sends narcotics and arms to his country every day via drones. He also asked, “How can we conduct trade with a country with which our relations are not good and which sends slow poison (narcotics) to kill our youth?”
India 13-Feb-2023
According to sources, while the United Kingdom (UK) has recently warned India about the growing instances of “potentially toxic" pro-Khalistan extremism which is leading to the mobilisation of funds and sympathisers to trigger disruptive and terror activities in India remotely, the Government has already deployed multi-pronged counter strategies in place to counter the menace. According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), the pro-Khalistan extremists abroad backed by Pakistan, have been engaging and reaching forging alliances with criminals and gangsters. An officer stated that, “An ecosystem of partnership based on mutual interest has developed between Khalistan extremists, criminals, and drug-traffickers… It is quite a dangerous trend as though most of these local gangsters and petty criminals do not subscribe to the interest and radical ideology of Khalistan, they are being used to providing logistic support to the extremists including foot soldiers, arms-ammunition, shelter etc.” The officer said that most of these local associates of the foreign-based pro-Khalistan operatives and handlers “are petty criminals who pull triggers and indulge in criminal activities just for money and they eventually end up main perpetrators and conspirators of terror plots.”
India 13-Feb-2023
According to reports, as the protests over the release of Bandhi Sikhs (Sikh prisoners) escalating at the Mohali-Chandigarh border, security agencies are worried over farmer unions lending support to pro-Khalistan radicals spearheading the protests. Despite some differences between the farm unions over the issue of lending support to the radical group, the top leaders have been forced to express their solidarity on the emotive issue of the release of Sikh prisoners.
India 13-Feb-2023
The Inspector General (IG) (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said on February 13 that Punjab Police have arrested 10,576 drug smugglers after registering 7,999 first information reports (FIRs), including 915 commercial, under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances(NDPS) Act across the state in the last seven months. The police have recovered 529kg heroin on vulnerable routes. Also, 147kg heroin was recovered from the seaports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, taking the total effective recovery to 676kg heroin in just seven months. The police teams also recovered 424kg opium.
India 14-Feb-2023
Police arrested two women, identified as Kulwinder Kaur and Manjit Kaur and recovered 10-kg poppy husk from their possession at Sangrur in Sangrur district.
India 14-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 14 launched massive raids on suspected hideouts of persons linked with Gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. According to Police, the simultaneous raids were conducted at the residential and other premises linked to the gangster in all the districts across the state. During the search operation, as many as 409 Police parties, including about 2,863 police personnel searched the premises of at least 2,371 suspected hideouts across the state linked with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, according to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
India 14-Feb-2023
Amritsar Member of Parliament (MP) Gurjeet Singh Aujla on February 14 asked Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to clear his stand on the issue of drug menace and narco-terrorism nexuses in the state. This development comes a day ahead of the hearing on a sealed report related to the issue submitted by the previous Congress-led state government to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
India 14-Feb-2023
On February 14 , a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Mohali has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate the proclaimed offender (PO) proceedings against the former assistant inspector general (AIG) of Punjab Police, who is prime accused in the case of alleged disappearance of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar’s mother in 1992.
Canada 14-Feb-2023
The Consulate General of India at Toronto condemned the defacing of Ram Mandir (Temple) in Mississauga, Canada and requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators. Earlier, the Ram Mandir in Mississauga was vandalised and defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown persons. Also, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned terrorist organisation with US bases, has taken responsibility for the attack.
India 14-Feb-2023
Police arrested two persons, identified as Richhpal Godara (21) and Pintu Godara (19) along with 89 kg of poppy husk from their possession at a check-post on the Abohar-Hanumangarh highway in Fazilka district.
India 14-Feb-2023
The Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) staff conducted a search operation and recovered 24 kg poppy husk from a house in Seeto Gunno area of Khairpur village in Fazilka district.
India 15-Feb-2023
On February 15, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a cash reward of INR 15 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Canada-based gangster-turned-Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, who is wanted in connection with terror cases in Punjab. The NIA said, “A cash reward of Rs 15 lakh is announced for any information leading to arrest of Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias ‘Landa’. Landa, a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada, has been an absconder and is wanted by the NIA in a case related to the grenade attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022. According to reports, In 2022, the NIA initiated a case when it was discovered that terrorist groups and individuals located overseas were collaborating with leaders and members of organized criminal groups in the northern states of the country to carry out specific murders and other violent criminal activities. The NIA spokesperson said, “It had emerged that the terror-gangster-drug smuggler network was also engaged in smuggling terrorist hardware such as arms, ammunition, explosives, IEDs across border through a widespread inter-state network of gunrunners, illegal arms and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers and explosive traffickers.”
India 15-Feb-2023
Punjab Police arrested one person who has links with gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, identified as Jaipal Singh alias Gumta and recovered 1Kg heroin and INR 27 lakh drug money from his possession in Tarn Taran district.
United States 15-Feb-2023
North American Punjabi Association on February 15 raised “serious concern” over growing incidents of gang wars and weapons smuggling in the state. An executive director of the United States (US)-based organisation, Satnam Singh Chahal mentioned, “it is very unfortunate that only a few gangsters out of several arrested between 1996 and 2023 were imprisoned”.